NYT: "American Idol" as political battle

[PennyK]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/27/arts/television/27heff.html?oref=login
This piece, in yesterday's paper, put an interesting twist on the "battle" between the last two finalists as representing the "Old South" (Democratic) and the "New South" (Republican").

Funny, Heffernan got all het up about Bo's song choice, "Sweet Home Alabama," and while it was on, I was excitedly telling my husband what a political song it was (he's younger than me).

[Clark2008]

1. I didn't think "Sweet Home, Alabama" was so much political as

a snarky answer to "Southern Man" by Neil Young.

I fall on the Neil Young side of this debate, btw. And I was born, raised and still live in the South.

I hate to see people bash all Southerners as stupid, inbred and backwards, because we're not, but the more educated of us should really do more to enlighten our brethren. Believe me, we don't like when folks come in from the outside and try to tell us what to do, so it's up to us better educated and more progressive Southerners to do the "educating."

BTW... I have no idea what you're talking about as it relates to "American Idol." I never watch that show. I was just commenting on the song. :hi:

[Tux]

5. Southern image

My parents are from Appalachia and the stereotype does fit. Educated Southerns may have drunk the kool-aid and joined the ranks. Of course, NASCAR isn't helping by sucking Republican cock and fans acting like wild monkeys on crack evertime I see them in public. I miss the Detroit metro area. South lacks good gangs.

[donsu]

6. :) Detroit is way cool

nt

[NWHarkness]

2. What an inane analysis

According to Heffernan, strong women declaring their independence equals Republicanism, while defense of racism is a hallmark of Democrats.

My god, the Times keeps getting worse and worse.

[Spider Jerusalem]

19. Well, to be fair...

defence of racism WAS a hallmark of Southern Democrats for a century. It took Lyndon Johnson to change that. And thanks in part to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, most of those former Southern Democrats are now Republicans, because they were "betrayed", as they see it. They certainly weren't Republicans BEFORE that...party of Lincoln, you know. So he's partly right, in that historical context; however, things have changed a lot in forty years, so that doesn't apply NOW.

[wyldwolf]

3. someone on DU mentioned Carrie Underwood is a Democrat

[cmkramer]

11. Bo Bice

His stepfather was an executive with Coca-Cola so I'm guessing his family background at least is Republican. I have no idea what party he belongs to though.

[wyldwolf]

14. why would his grandfaher being an executive with Coke mean...

..he has Republican roots? I don't get the connection.

[cmkramer]

16. I said "stepfather" not "grandfather"

Because Coca-Cola is a big contributor to Republicans. But like I said, I'm just guessing that his family background is Republican because of that. And I've never seen anything that indicates what his own politics are -- or if even has any.

[wyldwolf]

21. well, whatever

I have a friend whose father was a big exec at Coke and was as Democrat as can be.

[cmkramer]

22. Well, like I said

I was only guessing. I don't get any kind of wingnut vibe from him if that's what you thought I was implying. Or from his family, for that matter.

Getting back to the song, I doubt if too many people nowadays think of it as a political song. After all, Ruben Studdard sang it during his run on AI.

[Horse with no Name]

4. They are both red states--deeeeeppppply red

>>>>snip
Well I heard mister young sing about her
Well, I heard ole neil put her down
Well, I hope neil young will remember
A southern man don’t need him around anyhow
>>>>snip
In birmingham they love the governor
Now we all did what we could do
Now watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth


I think the song "Independence Day" about a woman defending herself from her abuser is more in lines with a Democratic value than a song endorsing racism and political corruption is. I call bullshit on this idiot's analysis.
Talk about inventing stories where none exist.:eyes:

[crimson333]

7. sweet home alabama does not support racism or political corruption

and has been a constant argument on DU

[teamster633]

8. I think it's sad that they're using "Sweet Home Alabama"...

...to sell KFC. Just like I cringe when I hear "Rock 'n Roll" being used to hawk Cadillacs. Remember when contemporary music use to mock consumerism?

[crimson333]

9. agreed

it is sad

[Celeborn Skywalker]

10. Sweet Home Alabama does not endorse racism.

Neil Young was a good friend of Lynyrd Skynyrd's and the song was kind of a joke. Lynyrd Skynyrd was liberal.

[FreedomAngel82]

12. Watergate doesn't bother you?

Huh. I think it'd bother me to know the President did something like that. I think it's backwards personally. "Indepdence Day" is a great and powerful song.

[KittyWampus]

13. Those Were Song Lyrics... Not A Political Manifesto

do you really think every songwriter believes 100% the lyrics that they write?

Think Marshal Mathers.

[girl gone mad]

15. I think of Carrie mor as a Dixie Chick, and Bo as a..

Good ol' Boy.

Carrie loves animals, Bo is a married church-going businessman. I really don't care to pontificate further on their political leanings, and I have to wonder why this writer feels the need to do so.

Republicans keep sinking to new depths. What next? An analysis of how the "Survivor" winner must be a Republican and the losers all Democrats? Maybe he can tell us about the politics behind the Fear Factor contestants, too.

[Piperay]

17. Oh brother...

so Democrats are "kind of mad and trapped and defeatist". He's correct in the MAD part but the rest is just bull shit. :puke:

[Skittles]

18. JAYSUS why do poeple watch that crap

can't watch five minutes without cringing

[Selatius]

20. It's American Idol for crying out loud. There are more pressing issues

This is a fucking sideshow compared to the disaster unfolding in Iraq. I can't believe the news media would actually spend one minute on this issue instead of something that is really important like war or the environment or any other serious issue.